Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Tuesday revealed that Australia will boost its war effort in Afghanistan by sending more police and civilian aid, following a meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House, Xinhua reported.
Rudd said the U.S. President had accepted that Australia's commitment of 1,550 soldiers in Afghanistan was adequate, following the 40 percent increase in troop levels approved in April.
He confirmed that the government will increase the number of police trainers and civilian personnel, to help with efforts in handing back control to local Afghanistan authorities from allied forces. The decision by Rudd to increase Australia's presence with non-military assistance could be an attempt to stave off a likely request for more troops.
Obama will announce an expected increase of 32,000 to 35,000 U. S. troops. The significant military build-up comes after a review of military operations by U.S. and Allied commander General Stanley McChrystal which showed the Taliban has gained the upper hand in the eight-year conflict over the past 12 months.
The Obama administration has put pressure on many of the 43 allied countries fighting in Afghanistan to boost their forces as well.
But Rudd deflected questions about whether or not Australia had also received a request, saying the President "fully accepts" Australia's current commitment.
Rudd said the numbers of police and civilian personnel sent to Afghanistan was still to be considered.
"We're working through that at the moment with the national security committee of the cabinet, and we have requested work to be done by our agencies on that," he said, adding "it comes directly out of discussions I've had in the field recently with General McChrystal."
Personnel used to train local Afghan police will be drawn from the ranks of the Australian Federal Police, while civilians to help with local construction work will come from AusAid, Australia 's overseas aid program.